Fire foam nozzle



Aug. 21, 1928. 1,681,363

B. REDDEMANN FIRE FOAM NOZZLE File'd May 12, 1926 Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNHARD REDDEMANN, on BERLIN-LICHTERFELDE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 PYRENE-HINIMAX CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIRE FOAM NOZZLE.

Application filed May 12, 1926, Serial No. 108,600, and in Germany July 8, 1.924.

The invention relates to foam fire extinguishers and more particularly to a nozzle for the hosepipe by means of whlch the foam is applied to the fire.

In combating fires of combustible liquids which are stored in tanks, for instance, the foam serving as the fire extinguishing agent, provided no stationary plant is provided, is applied to the fire by hanging the delivery nozzle of the hosepipe, which generally has the shape of a hook, overvthe edge of the tank or receptacle containing the fuel liquld and is thus conveyed on to the surface of the liquid on fire. The combating of the fire in this way is, however, sometimes rendered difficult or even impossible if the attempt to hook the bent nozzle at the end of the foam supply hosepipe over the edge of the tank fails owing to the great heat rad ated by the burning oil. This drawback is eliminated by the present invention according to wh ch on the end of the foam supply hosepipe a straight squirting nozzle is provided besides and in addition to the bent pipe or hook already mentioned. By means of this straight nozzle a jet of foam may be squirted into the tank from a distance and the fire extinguished entirely or at least to such an extent that after the squirting of a portion of the tank wall for the purpose of cooling it, it 1s possible to approach it near enough to enable the hooked nozzle to be engaged with the edge of the tank and to extinguish the fire com pletely by the foam streaming through the hook-shaped nozzle.

In the accompanying drawing hereto an embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing Fig. 1, a cross-section through the valve chamber of the nozzle,

Fig. 2, a plan of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3, a side-elevation of Fig. 4, a plan of Fig. 3.

Like parts are indicated by like letters of reference throughout'all the figures of the drawing.

The nozzle consists of a chamber a of T- shape which is provided with one half of a Storz coupling and possesses an inlet with hose-connecting flange 6 and two outlets 0 and (Z into which a U-shaped pipe 6 and a straight squirting nozzle f are respectively screwed.

the nozzle and The outlets 0 and (Z are shouldered to provide seats for a flap g mounted upon a rotary pin it projecting from the chamber at 2'. Pin 72. is positioned to coincide with the intersection of the planes of the valve seats so that flap 9 may swing into position to close either outlet. Preferably pin 71. is journaled with sufiicient play to prevent the flap from binding. Upon the end of the pivot bolt projecting from the chamber is mounted a hand lever 70. By means of this hand lever the flap 9 may be turned from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 in which it closes the outlet d into the position indicated in dotted lines in front of the outlet 0 so that this outlet is then closed and the outlet (Z opened.

It will be observed that outlet (Z and straight nozzle f are in line with the inlet, thus providing a direct path for the squirting stream which will in consequence be of maximum strength. Furthermore, when flap is swung into position for closing outlet (Z it will be held there by impingement of the stream. Outlet 0, on the other hand, has its axis at an angle to the squirting stream so that the primary fire extinguishing stream of foam has an indirect passage from the hose through outlet 0 and U-shaped nozzle 6. This is not disadvantageous, but on the contrary, is favorable since in fighting fires of combustible liquids in tanks, the best results are obtained by applying the foam stream to the seat of the fire quietly and with the min imum disturbance of the burning liquids. Moreover, flap 9 serves as a battle against which the foam bubbles are thrown and broken up into smaller bubbles, which is well known to be desirable.

The device is used as follows: WVhen atank of burning liquid becomes too hot for close approach the flap 9 is manipulated by lever is to close outlet 0 and a jet of extinguishing foam is thrown through sides of the tank until the tank is cooled suffieiently to approach and hang the nozzle over the rim of the tank by means of the U-shaped branch 6. Just prior to doing this the operator shifts the flap 9 to close outlet d and open outlet 0 whereupon the fire extinguishing foam flows smoothly and quietly over the surface of the burning liquid.

Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, and I desire, there- (ill outlet (Z against the I fore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art.

I claim as my invention 1. A nozzle for foam fire extinguishing appa ratus having an inlet, an outlet substantially in line with the inlet, a second outlet having its axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the inlet and first mentioned outlet, a valve 10 common to both outlets for selectively closing one or the other, and a hook-shaped nozzle associated with said second outlet for enguging the nozzle with a burning structure.

2. A nozzle for fire foam extinguishing up paratus as defined in the preceding claim in which the nozzle is U-shaped.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DR. BERNHARD REDDEMANN. 

